Sheet-opening mechanism



Aug. 7, 1928.

F. C. BIGGERT, JR

SHEET OPENING MEcHANIsM original Filed sept. 27, `192slll .lid

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Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

:FLORENCE C. BIGGERT, JR., OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED ENGINEERING & FOUNDRY COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

SHEET-OPENING MECHANISM.

@riginal application filed September 27, 1923, Serial No. 661,406. Divided and this application led November 4, 1926.

rlhe present invention relates broadly t' the art of metal working, and more particularly is applicable to the manufacture of sheets in packs and the opening of such packs as required to form the individual `ually accomplished entirely by hand and not infrequently results in such a mutilation of the sheets that the entire sheets or substantial portions thereof are discarded. The present invention provides improved means tor opening the packs whereby the sheets are easily separated without mutilation thereof by tearing, wrinkling or cutting.

ln the accompanying drawings there is shown, ot purposes of illustration only, one embodiment of the present invention, it being understood that the drawings do not define the limits of the invention, as changes in the construction and operation therein disclosed may be made Without departing either from the spirit of the invention or the scope ot my broader claims.

In the drawings:

`Figure l is a top plan view oi the sheet separating mechanism, and

`lEigure 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly broken away of the structure shown. in Figure l.

ln carrying out the present invention there may be provided a separating and stripping mechanism comprising a pair of vertical standards 2 spaced a sufficient distance to receive therebetween a pack` of sheets.. the standards preferably being connected by suitable brace rods 3 carried by brackets 4 tired to the standards. ln order to prevent interference to the passage of the sheets through the mechanism. the rods 3 are preterably positioned slightly below the pathot1 travel ot the pack and in such manner as to liorm a temporary support therefor.

llhe mechanism ilurther comprises a pair ot gripping tongs 5 having a pivotal connection t? and adapted to grip the leading end ot the sheets oi the pack and draw the same through the opening or separating mechanism. 'lhese gripping tongs may carry a pair oil llanged rollers 7 engaging brackets ti by means ot which the tongs are guided.

Serial No. 146,126.

The free end portions of the arms of the tongs extend -at an angle and cross each other in such manner that they are adapted to be engaged by link 9 carried by suitable drawing mechanism 10 having an eye 11'. Any suitable power device may be connected through the eye to pull the gripping tongs along the tracks in order to draw the pack .between the standards 2 and cause rods 12 inserted between the sheets and engaging against one edge of the standards to strip and separate the individual sheets in the pack. The insertion oi' these rods may be accomplished in any desired manner by previously slightly separating the leading edges of the sheets by hand or by passing the same through deep buckling levelers as-disclosed, for example, in my copending application Serial No. 661,406, filed Sept. 27, 1923 from which the present application is a division. After the rods are all in position, the free ends of the sheetsmay be easily gripped by the tongs and the separation of the sheets may be completed.

It will be apparent that the present mechanism is adaptable for use not only with so called stickers but if vdesired with all of the sheets to be-separated.

Due to the even pull exerted on the sheets A and the smoothing influence of the loosely mounted or liournaled rods l2, wrinkling and tearing of the sheets is prevented, and the separation thereof is accomplishedeasily and quickly.

b:Il claim:

1. Opening mechanism for a. pack of sheets including a plurality of loosely mounted separating bars free to move with the movement of the sheets, and means for drawing the sheets of the pack over opposite sides of adjacent bars.

2. Opening mechanism `for a pack ot sheets, comprising means adapted to loosely engage between adjacent sheets, and means for producing relative movement between the stripping means and the pack to cause the stripping means to separate the sheets.

3. Opening .mechanism for a pack ol sheets, comprising a plurality of loosely mounted separating bars tree to move with the movement of the sheets.. standards loosely supporting said bars, and means for drawing the sheets of the pack between said standlimi ldd

ards and over the opposite sides of adjacent sheets including a ioating bar free `to move bars. With'the movement of the sheets, and means 10 4. Opening mechanism for a` pack of for drawing one sheet of the pack over each sheets including a loosely positioned sepaside of the bar. I rating bar free to move With the movement In testimony whereof I have hereunto set of the sheets, and means for drawing one my hand. sheet of the pack over each side of the bar.

5. Opening mechanism for a pack of FLORENCE C. BIGGERT, JR. 

